When Teaching Reading is Scary

That year taught us both a lot of things. Alex learned some choice new words, he learned that not all of the kids in his class were going to be his friend and he had a great teacher. He also learned to read. I think, however, that the lessons I learned were just as important. I did my best to help out in his class once a week or so, and while there, I observed that the kids might be learning some basic concepts in class, but the real important work happened at home, where we drilled and read books and put in lots of one on one time. I realized that teaching him was something that I could do - because I'd already been doing it!

The next year, we homeschooled and have been ever since. You'd think that since I'd overcome that insecurity with one child that it would be so simple with another one, wouldn't you? Well, that's where you'd be wrong! I had the same insecurities! We used lots of reading aids, videos, lots of repetition, and lots of just plain sitting down and reading together. She learned to read and loves it now!

I've two down and one to go! Now that I'm on child number three, I know a thing or two. I know that I'll have insecurities until my kids graduate (and probably beyond!), I know that all kids learn differently and something that helped one may completely miss the mark with another. I know that approaching learning from lots of different angles is always the best option. With that in mind, when given the opportunity to review Rock N Learn's 'Let's Learn to Read' 10 DVD collection, I was excited!

I've had great experiences with Rock N Learn before, so I knew that the product would be high quality, but I was unprepared for all the topics it covers. The collection contains:

• Phonics for Beginners
• First Sight Words
• Phonics Short Vowels, Consonants, and CVC Words
• Phonics Double Consonants, Plurals and Blends
• Sight Words
• Phonics Digraphs, Trigraphs and Silent E
• Phonics Long Vowels and R-Controlled Vowels
• More Sight Words
• Phonics Diphthongs, Syllables and More
• Phonics Rule Breakers and Silent Consonants

Whew! Reading that list might be a little overwhelming, because if you're like I was a few years ago, you look at words like, "Trigraphs?! What's that?!" It can be kind of scary to honest. That's why this program is so great. It easily explains these concepts on a kids level and actually keeps them interested and wanting to learn. (*A trigraph is a series of three letters that make one sound - like the igh in sigh.)

These DVDs make a great supplement to your reading program or for keeping kids learning throughout the summer and prevent any reading loss. One of my favorite parts of these are the part where a persons mouth moves slowly on screen, so that kids can really SEE how to make the same sounds.

Something you might love are the free worksheets that you can print to go along with this. Even better? Right now, you can snap up the set for $74.99 (regularly $99.99). Shop with Rock N Learn and connect with them on Facebook to keep up with all the latest products!

*I received a product in exchange for my honest opinion of this product.